Changes to the BHP Billiton Board

BHP Billiton Chairman, Jac Nasser, today announced the appointment of Grant King to the BHP Billiton Board as an independent Non-executive Director, effective as of 1 March 2017.

From 2000 until 2016, Mr King served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Origin Energy Limited, a leading Australian energy retailer with diverse operations spanning across the energy supply chain.

Mr King is currently the President of the Business Council of Australia.

Mr Nasser said Mr King’s appointment reflected the Board’s commitment to a structured and rigorous approach to Board succession and planning, having regard to the skills, experience and attributes required to effectively govern the business.

“Grant is an excellent appointment and he will bring to the Board his strategic thinking, immense intellect, and his ability to apply a long term view. He has extensive executive experience leading a company that has operated in a volatile and changing global environment, and broad oil and gas industry experience.”

Pat Davies, who has been a Non-executive Director of BHP Billiton since June 2012, will retire from the Board, with effect from 6 April 2017, to focus on his family business and to pursue other interests.

Mr Nasser thanked Mr Davies for his valuable contribution to the Board and service to BHP Billiton during his tenure.

“We wish Pat all the best for the future and we will miss his insights and perspectives.”

There will be 10 Non-executive Directors on the BHP Billiton Board after the appointment of Mr King and the retirement of Mr Davies.

Grant King

Mr King, 62, served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Origin Energy Limited from February 2000 to November 2016 following Origin Energy’s demerger from Boral Limited. During his tenure at Origin Energy, he successfully led the company through a period of significant growth and presided over a number of acquisitions and major development projects.

Between 1994 and 2000, Mr King served as Managing Director of Boral Energy.
Prior to joining Boral Energy, he held various management roles with The Australian Gas Light Company (from 1977 to 1994).

Mr King is the President of the Business Council of Australia and a Director of the University of New South Wales Foundation Ltd and the Origin Foundation Limited.

Mr King has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia and a Master of Management from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.